I just bought this as a gift to myself, FINALLY upgrading from my MPC Renaissance. Thank you so much though, Bolo for all your videos. I've been out of the loop (pun intended) with making beats for a few years (law school) but I'm back and the learning curve has been HARSH. Your videos have helped me get back on track thanks to good ol' RU-vid University, lol. Much love!!!
SWEEEEET!!!!! One thing about the MPC Key 61 is it already has all of the plugin instruments (except the Minimoog/Mini D) which means it is a complete workstation you can "compose" an entire beat on from scratch then export each track out as a .wav format audio stem. Then, you can just save those stems on a flash drive, take those files to a studio, then simply import them into a DAW. No need to hook up the MPC to an audio interface, and no need for cables either. Now the MPC X is also capable of doing all the above, except you have to "buy" the plugins separately. However, it has all the analog outputs, the big screen, and the 16 Qlink knobs. It truly is designed as a studio piece. Both MPCs are sweet!
Same, haven’t made a beat in years. I quit drinking and got a job two months ago just to buy this thing. It finally arrived last week and I’m nervous, intimidated and excited as hell, all at the same time🤣. It looks like a damn time machine/space control deck. I haven’t even opened it yet but Now I’ve got G.A.S. again and can’t stop looking for more stuff to buy.
That’s exactly where I got mine from and I ordered it using their one year. Payment plan through your credit card with no interest. You can’t beat that. They let you pay overtime for pretty much anything on their site over a certain amount of money. I like it, because it lets you enjoy playing the instrument and not having to plop down a crazy ton of money at once. Much better than paying on a high interest, credit card or anything else. Glad you finally got yours. I am loving it and trying to learn everything about it to make workflow easier. I’m still auditioning the tons of sounds that came with the unit. There are some hidden away in the search/menu system. They have a bunch of sampled acoustic drums that sound pretty nice. Stuff from Pearl, DDrums, Yamaha, Gretsch, etc… including tons of different sizes for every drum… Including, kick, snare, toms and cymbals. I’ve had this thing for four months and just found them tonight. They have an entire drum samples pack that isn’t included in any of the drum sets. So essentially, you have to set up your own set based off of the sounds that you like. The good thing is, you can mix and match between sets. If you’d like a Gretsch or a Pearl kick with a Yamaha snare, then we can go that direction or whichever you like. Which is very cool. Not to mention, you can always import sounds from your favorite drum software on PC or Mac. Which is as easy as drag and drop onto your favorite USB stick or directly onto the MPC key 61’s internal hard drive, or SSD drive if you add one. Regardless, it makes it so simple to either sample or grab sounds from other keyboards that you love. There is a guy on eBay, who samples all of the major keyboards from the last 40 years, which includes every sound that those keyboards include… For generally $20-$30 a piece. Which is incredibly cheap, considering all the work he had to do. But I guess because they are so cheap. He sells so much in bulk that it makes up for it. He has pretty much anything you could look for. I’ve already bought the Korg M3 pack, Fantom G, Triton and a few more. There are so many sounds from so many great keyboards I’ve owned in the past that I want to put them all on this one to be done with it. Which is why I bought a huge SSD to put them on. In any case, you’re going to love this thing. Whether you do dance, R&B, rap, rock, country, or Pop… It has sounds and features for everybody. The plug-ins are amazing and makes this thing pretty much a fully functioning mobile DAW. The fact that they have vocal plug-ins like a harmonizer and auto-tune, not to mention… Amp and cabinet simulation for guitar and bass. And any, and every effect you could ever want. Meaning that, you could plug a guitar and microphone directly into this unit without using any external equipment and record a full album of commercial sounding music. It also has all of the mastering plug-ins you could ever want. Let you save out with MP3/WAV and if you want… You can save out the entire song completely finished or each track and mix and master it on a PC or Mac. Which makes it very quick to record a Demo out and see what it sounds like on other sound equipment. It’s such a great machine then because there’s essentially a button for every function, it makes workflow very quick and everything easy to get to. Pretty amazing for $1900. Every other manufacturer charges $3000 plus for anything that even comes close to it and there really isn’t anything that does… because of all of the plug-ins they include. I am hoping that they continue making instrument plug-ins for this unit. I would like to see an acoustic drum emulation plug-in, that allows for change of sizes and sounds and effects, mic, placement, etc… Also, an acoustic guitar and bass plug-in. With guitars and bases sampled from some of the best instruments in the world and the ability to tweak them. How do you like. It would also be nice if the cabinet/amp emulation was in a quick plug-in on the sounds screen. It’s kind of convoluted how you get through it. So enjoy. Hope you had a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
You can always save the midi and sample the internal sounds. Record a sequence with the internal sounds… then sample the sequence or bounce to sample. Always save the midi just in case you need to make changes.
I brought mine a hour after its release. I been a MPC user since the 60. I also owned the EPS 16 and ASR 10. I've had the Fantoms and Korg M3 and loved the workstation form factor but those would always have to be paired with a MPC because they suffered in different eras of workflow such as weak samplers or unproductive sequencers. This MPC fit the bill for all in one workstation but still have the MPC workflow, Also, that 8 instrument plugin limit can be overcomed by bouncing a plugin to a audio track because you have 8 of them and unlimited audio tracks while using the software. But good video as always BOLO my dude.
I agree. I’d never get rid of my other Mpc’s. The Mpc Key 61 is it’s own feel. I like the convenience of the keys because everything is in one. Still, I get a certain feeling when using the Mpc X. The Mpc Key 61 is a beast of a machine. Definitely won’t get rid of it (unless they come out with the Mpc Key 88 with the flip screen and SD slot). Great review.
Zzounds is the truth! l got a Mackie creator bundle (mic, headphones and speakers) for $149. I’m a get that Roland verselab next since it went down to $499. I knew you was gonna get that MPC key 61 at some point!
I’ve been looking at that Verselab as well and the MC-707. Just not sure or set on exactly which one I want or is better than the other. Then there’s the Syntakt and Polyend Play that also peak my interests, so many choices and decisions, it’s hard to pick one. What exactly about the Verselab makes you want that over something else?
Actually you CAN add an internal HDD for storage to the MPC Keys.. I sold my Fantom because this works best with my workflow. I have a Tascam 12 and I use it as an audio interface with my MPC Keys for my analog gear. BOY OH BOy - what a combination
I thought about it~ but with no input I put it off until further notice and It would have been a total game changer if they would have install speakers on it So I can take it with me to other studios when I need to use a more advance keyboard player and I can take the work home I hate leaving my ideas in other labs at times these days
Bolo thanks again!! Everything always 1000!! From you! The mic whoever ( rode) gave you.. Trash it 😝 lol … it sounds like a commercial, with no character 🤷🏾♂️, you already got everything and some ( not broke , don’t fix ) … love your work, dedication, and inspiration! Given a shout out ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Yes indeed happy New Year’s. This is a beautiful start to a new year. I knew that you were going to get the MPC 61 key. I bought it. I treated myself to a Christmas gift 🎁 I agree with you. I am not selling my MPC pro X although I am becoming more familiar with this 61 key NPC I agree with everything that you were saying in this video. At some point, I am going to buy a solid state drive and add it to the keyboard.
Raleigh Simmons coached by Fred Tex Winer. Akai needs to compete with Yamaha, Roland, and Korg. However, Akai is on something really BIG and I want that NEW AKAI 73 or 88 weighted Keys. The FEEL ON A AKAI 73-88 WEIGHTED KEYS IS SMOOOOOTH AS SILK. I AM WAITING.
The same way you feel about this is the same I feel about the MPK mini plus, MPC Beats and my laptop! the MPK mini plus is my favorite compact controller right now because I can do real work with it and I connect it to my 4K and 2KXL and sequence sounds from software just like back in the day with the Korg trinity and triton workstations. Fun times for sure.
I want NI to add an audio interface or sample unit to their keyboard line, to make it like an updated ASR-10. I think it would look pretty clean. I don’t necessarily want or need drum pads on a keyboard.
That’s what I want also… NI instrument sounds are better then Akai. I just like Akai work flow better. A keyboard with komplete 14 inside the keyboard already installed and a better work flow would be crazy.
It's a cool workstation from Akai but, since I already have The X I just decided to stick with my Open Labs LXD Miko Gen 5 and work with both workstations but, it would be great to perform and tour with. Great Video 😎
I have the ControlBLADE I purchased from Music Computing. Victor Wong who was with Open Labs started the company. The ControlBLADE appears to be an all in one machine, but actually it’s a midi keyboard that’s screwed on top of a box that holds a Mac mini, an audio interface, an external hard drive, & a usb hub, all connected together. The idea was cool, but this MPC Key 61 seems to be more of what I was expecting the ControlBLADE to be. I just got the MPC Key 61. So time shall tell.
Rode makes good boom mics. I almost bought a Rode for my location sound kit but got a Sennheiser boom mic instead. Used it to mic players' conversations on the field during the Steelers vs Falcons game here in Atlanta a few weeks ago. Cut thru the stadium crowd noise like a knife thru butter!
Welcome to the #Key61Family 🫡💯🎵🎶🥂🍾 HAPPY NEW YEAR CHAMP! Bruh... I'm knowing you'll be Lit Lit for all of 2023!!! #LetsGooo #MPCGang #ILoveMyMPCs #GetMoreStuff
i probarbly misunderstood you but you can add your own ssd drive underneath...but if you mean something else i apologise....An informative video though so thankyou :)
@@BoloDaProducer Sheesh! that MODX is gonna be great! . im on the Montage, love it man. you can do alot on it, sound editing, creating is really in depth. its a Motif/ DX7 on steroids
Hey Bolo , I have a legitimate question about recording , I don't understand why companies like Akai would release a daw that's basically a software version of their hardware and mpc . I mean I get the cross compatible thing , but my question is do you think by akai doing that with releasing mpc software daw , is that just making the company loose on selling the actual mpc .
It wouldve been a winner if it had similar MPC X i/o's, disk streaming, sd card slot, at least 16 audio tracks, and up to 16 simultaneous plugin playback.
I own all Akai plug ins MPC X MPK49 the key bed on MPK is really good so I use as my own Keys as apart from the strip they are the same thing best of both worlds use with software so synths dont run out of memory plus MPC X has loads more inputs :-)
I see a lot of people with multiple mpc’s and it just makes me wonder how they are keeping track of all the stuff they are making. Is it possible to open files that are created on mpcx and live in the keys? I am a force user and I just never had the need to have an mpc because the workflow is way different, but I don’t need multiple force machines either. If akai drops a new force I’m selling my old one but checking to make sure I can open my files on the new one first. The dawless culture is a bit strange at times. I see people with multiple versions of sequencers which all do the same thing… at some point it just feels like you have too many devices that do the same thing to me.
For me the MPC Live 2 is hands down the best of the current MPC offerings. I even think it's better than the X! The $1,000 or more that you save getting Live 2 over X is enough to get other things such as expansions/plugins, audio interface, mixer, keyboard controller, hardware synth, etc. The X has a tilt screen but for less than $20 you can get a compact adjustable laptop stand that gives Live 2 any tilt you want. The X has 16 dedicated Q link knobs...who cares? You only have 2 hands and can assign the 4 Qlinks on Live 2 to any Q link parameter. Live 2 has access to all the same internals as X. The X has some more inputs/outputs...remember the $1,000 or more you saved? You can easily afford an interface or mixer & still have money left. The X has no built in speaker and it's not as light or compact to easily move around. For some people that matters but for others they don't plan on taking their MPC out of their studio so I can see why portability might not matter. The price of the Live 2 over the MPC One makes sense. The price difference of Live 2 and X makes no sense. Akai must've been smoking something funky when they thought the X was worth 1K or more than Live 2! 💨🤣 At best the X should be around the same price as the Key 61. The Key 61 is probably good if you own 0 MPCs & no controllers/keyboards but I have gear so rather use Live 2 with my own keyboard controllers.
I just can’t get with it. I have one for sale. Like New. I didn’t even register it so all software downloads available. Also comes with Guitar Center extended coverage.
The old mike sounded better I think, your voice sounds higher with the new one, while your voice sounded deeper with the first one. Both sound great though
Its not Z Zounds. 1 Z is silent so just say Zounds. I've been using them for years. Every piece of equipment I've ever owned has been paid with installments. I'll buy a few things at 1 time and just pay $50-$100 a month. I'm not ashamed lol.
Love the Keys. Makes me more creative and I haven't used splice as much. I def love doing the drums and mixing on the X better though. Once you are used to the X's workflow having less Q links is confusing.
I know it’s like an addiction, you got some tight shit. Every time I think I got the hot shit it’s more shit. I’m going to sit on this live 2 for a minute. It’s perfect when I get breaks during the day, I just put another idea in it. The way you speak on these dates joints make me want to get it off jump going to hold my horses this time.
Subscribed. I’m having an issue with my MPC Renaissance and Mpc key 61 they don’t work together like Masada mpc’s video of the 61 and x. 61 in standalone if you plug usb from ren to 61, the 61 says it don’t support the driver. And idk know how to do it midi in/out with the ren because if you only have the power cord plugged in and actual mini cords it stays in the demo display with Akai moving across the q links,so on the ren it there’s no way to set up in/out. Now both the ren and 61 hooked up to laptop/desktop and you power both on after starting software ren don’t boot and 61 stays in finding computer screen. 61 usb to laptop software boots up ,good. The plug ren it boots up. But nothing lit for led’s and ren screen stays with Mpc logo. Hit the pads plays but it’s all mapped wrong. Pads on 61 all good now hit the kick drum on the corresponding pad on the ren and the kick isn’t there…… hot note repeat boom kick drum routed to note repeat????? Play,start,stop don’t work on ren. Q links don’t work nothings lite up no pads nothing. Pads play sound but not mapped correctly. It really “stinks” that us ren guys can’t use the ren at all and its great features with the new products or am I doing something wrong. If I’m not please let me know and I hope us ren guys get a big big update so we can use in conjunction with the key 61 with the great features of the rens q links, pads and console for drumming and All the 61’s features at the same time.
I suppose if you're into sample pack music, it's a great piece of kit but for musicians and record producers who make their own original content, these MPC products are toys
@@BoloDaProducer u have a contact bro I’m tryna get together with u n ave ima artist n producer n I watch y’all every day big inspiration I’m willing to invest
Question? I watch your Channel a lot Fam .. if you connect your MPC x/ live 2 up with your new 61 keys .. via usb .. do the the 2 sequencer merge together? If so I would like to place my MPC live next to my Turntables and place the 61 on my keyboard rack .. on the side of my room .. and be able to go back and forth.. Arranging my Song .. Can you please let me know.. If so I’m gotta get 1 myself, you could laying down some keys . At you desk , while I’m attaching on a audio track.. If you go under Preferences .. Select Sequencer .. you can change Record to Multiple track at once… Man that keyboard and MPC x screen merge together and communicate. Fam I’m gonna be on some.. Mpc 4 life ***t … I’m not Video guy but my next goal for 2023 is to get a RU-vid channel.. with some decent cameras… When you see Phrozen 716 .. it me .. I been on the MPC since 1996 .. floppy disk error!
